The student startup, SATIEE, was founded by Doctoral student Matthew Punter, now in his final year of a PhD in Psychology at the University of Bath.
Matthew’s experience with neurodivergence, having been diagnosed with ADHD and autism at aged five, influenced his entrepreneurialism in addressing disability discrimination which has seen claims rise by 71% in six years, according to Acas.
Excluded from school at aged seven having been labelled ‘the worst kid from Leicester’, Matthew spent 10 years out of education, unable to read or write until he was 17 years old. At age 18, he began working at a special educational needs school, where he received ‘Outstanding’ from OFSTED for his behavioural work to support neurodivergent children. Alongside work, he taught himself five GCSEs and three A levels, enabling him to study an undergraduate and masters degree in Psychology at the University of Bath – graduating with first-class honours in both.
Matthew founded SATIEE as a Doctoral student at Bath, developing innovative software for organisations to provide a bespoke catalogue of reasonable adjustments needed for disabled and neurodivergent staff. SATIEE’s mission is to empower employers, champion managers, and enable successful employment, regardless of disability or neurodiversity. He says:
SATIEE is helping disabled and neurodivergent staff find what works at work, simplifying the complexity of disability for managers, and enabling HR to provide support at scale, with compliance made easy. I am delighted that SATIEE is shortlisted as an outstanding student-led venture for transforming an idea into a commercially viable business.
SATIEE’s recognition in being shortlisted for the SETsquared Investment Futures Awards 2026 builds on a history of success, since Matthew completed the Bath Entrepreneurship Programme in the 2025-26 academic year. He subsequently won the Dragon’s Den and Innovation Award competition, receiving support for the 2026–27 academic year to develop his business plan for SATIEE, which is now a startup member company at the University of Bath Innovation Centre.
Andrea Kelly, Centre Manager of the SETsquared Bath Innovation Centre, says:
SATIEE exemplifies the power of student entrepreneurship, turning lived experience into a practical solution that helps organisations better support disabled and neurodivergent employees. Their innovation has the potential to create meaningful social impact while making workplaces more inclusive for everyone.
Cast your vote by 15 November.